Schematic Model

The Mountain House is located on the edge of a 5-acre meadow surrounded by redwood forest in northern California’s steep coastal mountains. Construction of the original eccentric post-and-beam house was initiated in the 1970’s as a private mountain retreat. Current owners wanted to expand and modernize the off-the-grid house to accommodate a growing family, and strengthen indoor-outdoor relationships. Petersen Studio designed a sequence of interrelated decks, stairs, and terraces that unfold from the house to engage the surrounding meadow and forest. The hillside design gracefully integrates 40’ of vertical grade change.

On the uphill side of the house, a new entry stair and retaining wall provides access from the parking area above and protects the rooting area of a large redwood tree from required site grading. On the downhill side of the house, the folding glass wall of the new living room opens onto broad splayed stairs and a gravel terrace with a fire ring. The central lawn terrace accommodates family dining and play, and the lawn overlooks a sculptural pool deck embedded within the existing meadow.

House renovations and extensive rough grading have been completed. Phased landscape improvements are under construction.

Mountain House

The Mountain House is located on the edge of a 5-acre meadow surrounded by redwood forest in northern California’s steep coastal mountains. Construction of the original eccentric post-and-beam house was initiated in the 1970’s as a private mountain retreat. Current owners wanted to expand and modernize the off-the-grid house to accommodate a growing family, and strengthen indoor-outdoor relationships. Petersen Studio designed a sequence of interrelated decks, stairs, and terraces that unfold from the house to engage the surrounding meadow and forest. The hillside design gracefully integrates 40’ of vertical grade change.

On the uphill side of the house, a new entry stair and retaining wall provides access from the parking area above and protects the rooting area of a large redwood tree from required site grading. On the downhill side of the house, the folding glass wall of the new living room opens onto broad splayed stairs and a gravel terrace with a fire ring. The central lawn terrace accommodates family dining and play, and the lawn overlooks a sculptural pool deck embedded within the existing meadow.

House renovations and extensive rough grading have been completed. Phased landscape improvements are under construction.

Entry Stair and Retaining Wall

On the uphill side of the house, a new entry stair and retaining wall provides access from the parking area above and protects the rooting area of a large redwood tree from required site grading.

Entry Stair and Retaining Wall

On the uphill side of the house, a new entry stair and retaining wall provides access from the parking area above and protects the rooting area of a large redwood tree from required site grading.

Splay Stairs and Fire Terrace

On the downhill side of the house, the folding glass wall of the new living room opens onto broad splayed stairs and a gravel terrace with a fire ring. The central lawn terrace accommodates family dining and play. The lawn overlooks a sculptural pool deck embedded within the existing meadow.

Splay Stairs and Fire Terrace

On the downhill side of the house, the folding glass wall of the new living room opens onto broad splayed stairs and a gravel terrace with a fire ring. The central lawn terrace accommodates family dining and play. The lawn overlooks a sculptural pool deck embedded within the existing meadow.

Mountain House

The Mountain House is located on the edge of a 5-acre meadow surrounded by redwood forest in northern California’s steep coastal mountains. Construction of the original eccentric post-and-beam house was initiated in the 1970’s as a private mountain retreat. Current owners wanted to expand and modernize the off-the-grid house to accommodate a growing family, and strengthen indoor-outdoor relationships. Petersen Studio designed a sequence of interrelated decks, stairs, and terraces that unfold from the house to engage the surrounding meadow and forest. The hillside design gracefully integrates 40’ of vertical grade change.

On the uphill side of the house, a new entry stair and retaining wall provides access from the parking area above and protects the rooting area of a large redwood tree from required site grading. On the downhill side of the house, the folding glass wall of the new living room opens onto broad splayed stairs and a gravel terrace with a fire ring. The central lawn terrace accommodates family dining and play, and the lawn overlooks a sculptural pool deck embedded within the existing meadow.

House renovations and extensive rough grading have been completed. Phased landscape improvements are under construction.